Section: JCW WC50

Yes the WC50 is coming to the US. No you can’t have one. According to sources within MINI USA the all 50 copies of the WC50 coming to the US have been spoken for by individual customers. That means if you want the rarest MINI ever you’ll have to hope that someone backs out of an order over the next few weeks. As we reported previously production should be arriving at dealers between now and the end of April.

What’s a WC50 you ask? Nothing less than the most equipped JCW money can buy. It is taken off the Oxford line and then assembled and painted by hand. MSRP will be $40,300 with shipping (a pretty good deal as it turns out). You can see the entire list of specifications after jump.

Update: the US bound WC50 does not have the navigation included as it is everywhere else in the world. To us this makes the car slightly less of the good deal it was before and not quite as desirable.

Last year MINI introduced the ultimate JCW at MINI United at Silverstone with the WC50. Short for World Championship 50, the limited edition model includes a unique Connaught green exterior paint job with loads of one-off trim both inside and out. It’s truly the most remarkable looking new MINI we’ve ever seen at MF.

Initially we were told that a US allotment wasn’t in the cars due to production being capped at 250. However when MINI doubled production MINI USA started to ask US dealers if they’re be interested in the car. Apparently the feedback was positive enough that MINI USA has decided to import 50 cars to dealers that specifically requested the WC50. That means this will be the most limited edition MINI model ever – much more rare than even the GP. However that also means that if you’re not on a list or haven’t expressed interest in the car through a dealer, it may be hard to get one.

Since the WC50 is essentially a hand built JCW taken off the line at Oxford and finished elsewhere, the entire allotment should arrive in stages throughout April.

Initially pricing was expected to be close to the unthinkable mark of $50,000. However MINI USA pricing these (can we say aggressively?) at $39,600. Combined with the $700 shipping fee each JCW WC50 comes with the total is $40,300. While we’re sure there will be debate over the merits of the car versus the price, it doesn’t seem to matter all that much. We believe these cars will sell-out without much drama over the course of the next few months. But if you want to look at pricing critically, you’ll quickly realize that, to order a MINI with all of these options (sans the one-off components and trim) the final cost would be at least a few thousand over the $40k mark. In our minds MINI has pricing the WC50 as fair as possible given option costs.

Our friends at AUSmotive broken the news that MINI of Australia will indeed be getting the WC50. With production up to 500 units (from 250) it would seem that several markets will now be getting the 50th Anniversary MINI. Rumors suggest it’s not out of the question that the US might follow suit. Here’s the full press release:

MINI Lands 500th John Cooper Works WC50

500th car destined for Australia

Most exclusive MINI model ever produced

Strictly limited production

Ten secured for Australian market

Public debut, MINI CHALLENGE race series – rounds 1 and 2

Official Release: This MINI special edition has a strictly limited production run of only 500 units worldwide â€“ each are individually numbered â€“ and will become one of the most exclusive MINI models ever produced.

Just ten of the limited John Cooper Works WC50â€™s, including the 500th, are destined for Australia. This comes as a significant milestone for the MINI brand in Australia and reaffirms the importance of the local market on a worldwide scale.

WC50 are being delivered around the world as we speak. And while most deliveries go on without a hitch, some are marred by dealers mishandling the initially detailing of the car. The following six (!) videos details the art of fixing that nightmare. Oh and it’s also an excuse to look at the most glorious paint ever seen on a new MINI; Connaught Green.

Day 1 Part 1

The limited edition World Championship 50 (or WC50 for short) is now in production and will be sold only in the UK and European markets. As we exclusively reported earlier this summer, US dealers showed little interest in a pricey ultra limited edition model so this latest JCW model will be skipping MINI’s largest market.

Official UK Release: Both were revolutionary and triumphant: in the summer of 1959 Alec Issigonis presented his concept for a small car which, with its transverse-mounted front four-cylinder engine and space for four occupants plus luggage, was to become a byword for economy of space and driving fun. That same year, sports car constructor John Cooper won his first Formula One World Championship title with Jack Brabham at the wheel. 50 years on, the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 evokes both the start of the triumphal path of the classic Mini as well as victory in the F1 Driversâ€™ and Constructorsâ€™ Championship for John Cooperâ€™s racing team. This MINI special edition was inspired by John Cooperâ€™s son, Mike. His signature appears on the facia and on one of the bonnet stripes. It will have a limited production run of 250 units and was unveiled to the public at the 2009 MINI United Festival in Silverstone. The car is based on the MINI John Cooper Works and driven by a 155 kW/211 hp four-cylinder engine with Twin-Scroll turbocharger and petrol direct injection. The production version of the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 features numerous exterior and interior details reflecting the racing pedigree of the brand.

The ultra limited edition is set to get a 250 unit production bump bring the total made to 500. According to several sources MINI is doubling production due to more demand than originally expected from mainland Europe among other places.

It’s also been made clear to us that the US market is almost certainly not getting the car due to pricing issues. continued →

Dare we say it Autoexpress has created a pretty interesting article. They’ve taken 12 of the best MINIs ever and tested them all. Worth a read for sure but there’s no definitive conclusion unfortunately.

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